How can we win ideological battles against Islamic State? Over at the Small Wars Journal, Ajit Maan explains that an effective narrative strategy has two interactive components—one that communicates the need for military action, and another that counters the enemy’s message. Maan argues that it’s our ability to defeat Islamic State’s narrative that will determine the likelihood of a military victory. Ultimately, Maan says, ‘we can kill bad guys with drones but bad ideas don’t die that way’.

Christina Nemr at War on the Rocks sees things differently. She writes that facts won’t change extremists’ minds, because people tend to disregard information that contradicts their beliefs. Instead, she suggests appealing to people’s values and motivations. Anthony Bergin and I made a similar point on Monday: that reinvigorating Australian values could help prevent home-grown extremism.

Pushback against UK’s CT laws

New counterterrorism laws came into force in the UK this month, placing the duty of preventing extremism on various public bodies—including schools, prisons and local councils. But a recent open letter signed by nearly 300 prominent British figures condemned the laws as stifling free speech and stoking distrust in British Muslims. A Home Office spokesperson labelled the criticisms ‘simplistic’, citing the strategy’s recognition that there’s no single cause of radicalisation.

Checkpoint

Australia calls for MH17 tribunal

Nearly a year after Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was taken down at the Russia—Ukraine Border, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop has urged the UN Security Council to establish an international tribunal to judge those involved in the downing of the plane, in which 298 people lost their lives, including 38 Australians.

Australia was joined by Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine in recognised the need for an independent criminal investigation to send a sound message that such actions won’t be tolerated for the sake of international civil aviation.

Guatemala joints hunt for ‘El Chapo’

This week The Beat highlighted Mexican Drug Lord Joaquin Guzman’s scape from prison. In following the manhunt, Guatemala’s Interior Ministry has deployed a special task force along its northern border in a collaborative effort to recapture Mexico’s most wanted man.

The timely security boost comes as ‘Popeye’, Pablo Escobar’s former hitmanadvised ‘El Chapo’ to head to the mountains in Guatemala, arm himself and declare an all-out war on the Mexican government in order to force them to come to an agreement with him.

Author

Clare Murphy is a researcher in ASPI’s Strategic Policing and Law Enforcement Program. Stephanie Huang is an intern at ASPI. Cesar Alvarez is a visiting fellow at ASPI. Image courtesy of Flickr user Eneas De Troya.